Fire extinguishing foam discharge nozzle



Jan. 13, 1959 P. H. WIEDORN 2,858,301

FIRE EXTINGUISHING FOAM DISCHARGE NOZZLE Filed March 4, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 13, 1959 P. H. WIEDORN 2,868,301

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5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Jan. 13, 1959 Filed Marc 4, 1957 Jan. 13, 1959 P. H. WIEDORN FIRE" EXTINGUISHING FOAM DISCHARGE NOZZLE 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 4, 1957 I VIJIIIIIIII P. H. WIEDORN FIRE EXTINGUISHING FOAM DISCHARGE NOZZLE Filed March 4, 1957 Jan. .13, 1959 I 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 United States Patent Oflire 2,868,301 Patented Jan. 13, 1959 FIRE EXTINGUISHING FOAM DISCHARGE NOZZLE Paul H. Wiedorn, Philadelphia, Pa., assignor to National Foam System, Inc., a corporation of Delaware Application March 4, 1957, Serial No. 643,719

12 Claims. (Cl. 169-15) This invention relates generally to the production of mechanical or air foam employed in the extinguishment of fires, and more particularly to certain improvements in the design and construction of apparatus for applying fire-extinguishing air foam to the surface of a flam mable liquid such as oil or gasoline.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive and yet exceedingly efiicient design and construction of foam maker or nozzle that is operative to effect the discharge at high velocity of a stream of foam-forming solution in the form of a hollow cylindrical sheet to thereby increase the range of the foam maker.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide such a foam maker and a directional foam discharge tube therefor that conjointly operate to deliver a long range spot pattern of fire-extinguishing foam without weep or distortion.

Still another important object of the present invention is to provide such a foam maker and directional tube with a deflector unit operative to form a wide hollow conical pattern of closely knit foam spray for increased protection of the operator from the heat of the fire.

And still another important object of the present invention is to provide such a foam maker and directional tube with a deflector unit operable for switching instantly back and forth between a long range spot pattern of final discharge and a wide hollow conical pattern of final discharge.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will appear more fully hereinafter, it being understood that the present invention consists in thecombination, construction, location and relative arrangement of parts, all as will appear more fully hereinafter, as shown in the accompanying drawings, and as finally pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of apparatus constructed in accordance with and embodying the principles of the present invention, parts being broken away to expose others.

Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the upstream end of the apparatus, as indicated by line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged view of the downstream end of the apparatus, as indicated by line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a longitudinal section through the apparatus, taken on line 44 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is an enlarged view of the downstream end of the apparatus, the end or retainer plate being omitted to expose the deflectors.

Figure 6 is a reduced section on line 6-6 of Figure 4.

Figure 7 is a reduced section on line 7-7 of Figure 4.

Figure 8 is a view of one of the deflectors of the present invention.

Figure 9 is a section on line 9-9 of Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a view, looking upstream, of the handle Figure 12 is a section taken on line 1212 of Figure 11.

Figure 13 is a view taken as indicated by line 13-13 of Figure 11.

Figure 14 is a perspective exploded view of a portion of the apparatus.

Figure 15 is an elevation of a modified form of apparatus constructed in accordance with and embodying the principles of the present invention.

Figure 16 is an enlarged vertical section on line 1616 of Figure 15.

The foam producing apparatus constructed in accordance with and embodying the principles of the present invention includes a foam maker or nozzle A that has a hollow main body portion which is provided with an axially flared upstream end portion 11 and a cylindrical downstream end portion 12. The latter terminates in a centrally apertured transversely extending end wall 13 that is axially tapered, as at 14, to provide a thin edge 15 which defines the aperture, designated 16. The upstream end of the foam maker is fitted with a swivel 117, by means of which swivel the foam maker may be connected to a source of water charged with foam forming liquid.

The downstream end portion 12 of the foam maker is provided internally with a transversely extending spider t that is disposed in spaced upstream relation to the end Figure 11 is an exploded view of the apparatus.

wall 13. This spider has a centrally disposed main body portion 18 and four circumferentially equally spaced arms 19 that extend radially outwardly from the main body portion 18 to thereby form between the arms 19 four arcuate openings 20. The foam maker is fitted with a turbulator that has a hollow cylindrical main body portion 21 which extends freely through the aperture 16. The upstream end of the turbulator main body portion 21 is fitted into the spider main body portion 18, being secured thereto by screws 2222 that extend through the spider main body portion 18 and thread into a disc 23, which disc is fitted into the upstream end of the turbulator main body portion 21. When mounted in the manner aforesaid, the turbulator main body portion 21 is disposed in concentric relation to the apperture 16. It will be understood that the diameter of the ap perture 16 is somewhat greater than the outside diameter of the turbulator main body portion 21, in consequence of which the end wall 13 and the turbulator main body portion 21, are separated by an annular orifice 24. The solution introduced into the foam maker passes through the several arcuate openings 20 and then through the annular orifice 24,. being projected forwardly from the foam maker in the form of a hollow cylindrical sheet embracing the downstream end portion of the turbulator main body portion 21.

Extending forwardly from the foam maker is a directional foam discharge tube B that has at the upstream end thereof an air inlet member which is provided with a cylindrical main body portion 25 and four circumferentially equally spaced lugs 26. The latter extend axially from the main body portion 25 and slidably fit over the downstream end portion 12 of the foam maker, being secured thereto by screws 27 that project in consequence of which four arcuate air intake openings 28 are formed between the lugs26.

Extending from the air inlet member is a hollow tube that has an upstream cylindrical section 29 which is fitted to the air inlet member, an intermediate tapering section 30 which is fitted to the section 29 and a downstream cylindrical section 31 of reduced diameter which is fitted to the section 30. The upstream section 29 of the tube is fitted internally with an air deflector in the form of an axially tapering annular plate 32. The plate embraces the turbulator main body portion 21 whereby air that enters the tube through the air intake openings 2% is deflected toward the turbulator main body portion 21 for contact with the stream of foam forming solution. As the aerated stream of foam forming solution moves through the tube, it Wipes the internal surface of the intermediate tapering section 30 for inducing the suction necessary to draw air into the tube.

The downstream end of the tube carries a deflector unit C comprising a hollow anular housing and an assembly of deflectors operatively mounted within the housing. This housing includes a section that has an annular portion 33 which is fitted over the terminal portion of the tube, and a cylindrical portion 34 which extends peripherally about the annular portion 33 and downstream therefrom. Fitted to the cylindrical portion 34 is an annular retainer plate 35 that is fixed in spaced parallel relation to the annular portion 33 by a plurality of intervening double shouldered circumferentially equally spaced studs 36. Fitted over the downstream end of the tube is a cylindrical sleeve 37 that is formed with a radially outwardly extending flange 38, to which the annular housing portion 33 is secured, as by a plurality of screws 39. When mounted in the manner aforesaid, the housing is disposed in concentric relation to the tube for discharge of the aerated foam forming solution freely therethrough.

Carried respectively by the studs 36 are a set of deflectors 40, preferredly five in number, each of which has a disc-like body portion 41 and an arm 42 that extends outwardly from the body portion 41 and which terminates in a blade portion 43. The body portion 41 is apertured, as at 44, and the stud 36 projects through the aperture 44 for swinging movement of the arm 42 freely about the axis of the stud 36. The arm 42 is triangular in transverse section and the blade portion 43 is a lateral extension of the arm 42, being positioned along a plane that extends downstream from the arm 42 and inwardly from the same toward the central axis of the tube, as shown. The several deflectors extend respectively from the studs 36 in the same direction about the central axis of the tube.

Just inside the cylindrical portion 34 of the housing is an annular plate 45 that embraces the studs 36 and which intervenes the annular portion 33of the housing and the several deflectors 40. Carried by the annular plate 45 are a set of pins 46 that are circumferentially spaced equally. These pins extend from the annular plate 45 freely into notches 47 that are formed respectively in the outer periphery of the deflector body portion 41, as shown. Referring particularly to Figure 5, the annular plate 45 is positioned so that the pins 46 carried thereby hold the deflectors 40 with the blade portions 43 laterally retracted from the tube, out of the line of discharge therefrom. If the annular plate 45 is turned clockwise, as viewed in Figure 5, the pins 46 carried by the annular plate 45 turn the several deflectors 40 clockwise respectively about the studs 46, in consequence of which the blades 43 move into the area of discharge from the tube, as bestshown in Figure 3, to conjointly form a central opening 48. The annular plate 45 is provided with a lateral extension 49 that projects freely through the annular housing portion 33 and through the medium of which the deflector unit is connected with operating means D, now to be described.

Extending longitudinally over the top of and parallel to the tube is an operating rod 50 that has one end portion journalled in a bracket 51 which is seated upon the sleeve 37 the opposite end portion journalled in a lateral extension 52 of the air inlet member, and an intermediate portion journalled in a bracket 53 which is seated upon the tube. The end of the rod that overhangs the bracket 51 is fitted with a crank 54 that carries a link 55 which is connected to the lateral extension 52 of the annular plate 45 by a pin 56. The opposite end of the rod is fitted with a bracket 57 that mounts an upright handle 58. The latter is provided with a detent 59 that depends from the lower end portion thereof and which engages in one of a group of grooves 66 formed in the upper face of a locking strip 61. So long as the detent 59 is engaged with one of the grooves 66, the operating rod cannot turn about its axis, in consequence of which the deflectors 40 are secured against displacement from the selected position. When it is desired to change the position of the deflectors 40, the handle 53 is first turned about its axis and thereby shifted axially to draw the detent 59 upwardly clear of the locking strip 61, and then swung about the axis of the rod 50 to the desired position thereof, whereupon the handle is again turned about its axis, in the opposite direction, and thereby shifted axially to project the detent 59 into a different groove 60.

When it is desired to produce a long range spot pattern of fire-extinguishing foam discharge, the several deflector blade portions 43 are laterally retracted from the path of the discharge from the directional tube, as shown in Figure 5. A stream of maximum range and of no weep or distortion is produced. When it is desired to produce a wide pattern, the deflector blade portions 43 are swung inwardly toward the axes of the directional tube, directly into the path of the discharge therefrom. The fire-extinguishing foam impinges upon the blade portions 43 and is deflected laterally thereby to form a wide hollow conical pattern of closely knit foam spray that provides excellent protection for the operator from the heat of the fire. By manipulating the handle 58, the operator can switch instantly from long range spot pattern to a wide range hollow conical pattern, or to intermediate patterns, which flexibility enhances the value of the apparatus generally and for spill fires particularly.

Referring particularly to Figures 15 and 16, instead of being fitted with the directional foam discharge tube B, the foam maker A may be fitted with a modified tube structure E. The latter includes a band 62 that embraces and is secured to the foam maker A, a plurality of circum ferentially spaced bars 63 that extend axially from the band 62, and an annular plate 64 that is carried by the several bars 63. The annular plate 64 is disposed in spaced downstream concentric relation to the foam maker A, and secured to the periphery of the annular plate 64 is the downstream end portion of a cylindrical sheet metal hood 65 that embraces the downstream end portion of the foam maker A. The upstream end of the hood 65 is fitted with a screen 66 that extends about the foam maker A.

A tubular member 67 is carried by the annular plate 64 and is mounted thereby in concentric relation to the foam maker A, with the upstream end portion thereof embracing the downstream end portion of the turbulator 21 and disposed in the downstream spaced relation to the transversely extending end wall 13 of the foam maker A. The foam maker A and tube assembly E, assembled in the manner aforesaid, are supported on the ground at the foot of a tank F to be serviced, and the tube 6'7 is connected into a standpipe 63 that leads to a conventional foam chamber 69 that is located at the top of the tank. The chamber 69 may be of any suitable construction, for example as shown in United States Letters Patent No. 2,524,421.

In operation, the fire extinguishing foam forming solution issuing from the foam makerA in the form of a hollow cylindrical sheet, as described hereinbefore, wipes the inner surface of the tubular member 67 and thereby induces a suction that draws air into the hood 65 through the screen 66, from whence the air is drawn through the openings between the bars 63 and into the end of the tubular member 67. The fire extinguishing foam thus produced is quite stable in character and a high column thereof can stand without the foam collapsing, in consequence of which the standpipe 68 can be made unusually long, i. e., the vertical distance separating the foam chamber 69 from the foam maker A can be unusually great. This affords the advantage, of course, of mounting the foam maker close to the ground, which facilitates inspection thereof.

It will be understood, of course, that the present invention as hereinbefore described and as shown in the accompanying drawings is susceptible of various changes and modifications which may be made from time to time without departing from the general principles of real spirit of the invention, and accordingly it is intended to claim the same broadly, as Well as specifically, as indicated by the appended claims.

What is claimed as new and useful is:

1. In apparatus for producing fire extinguishing foam, a nozzle comprising an elongated hollow nozzle body, adapted for having discharged directly thereinto a foam forming solution from a source of the latter connected to one end of said nozzle, a wall across the opposite end of said nozzle body, an elongated turbulator body circular and uniform in transverse section and extending freely through an apertured wall area having a minimum effective thickness, said turbulator body being carried by and mounted in fixed relation to'said nozzle body, the aperture defining edge of said wall and the circumferentially extending outer surface area of said turbulator body that is opposed to said aperture defining edge being conjointly operative to define an annular orifice through which foam forming solution is discharged in the form of a hollow cylindrical sheet, and a conduit carried by said nozzle body and mounted in axial extension thereof for receiving said hollow cylindrical sheet of foam forming solution, said conduit being open ended to provide an inlet for air surrounding said nozzle body.

2. In apparatus for producing fire extinguishing foam as defined in claim 1 wherein the turbulator body extends downstream a substantial distance from the apertured wall.

3. In apparatus for producing fire extinguishing foam as defined in claim 1 wherein the turbulator body extends substantial distances both downstream and upstream from the apertured wall.

4.- In apparatus for producing fire extinguishing foam as defined in claim 1 wherein the nozzle body is provided internally with an open spider formation extending transversely of said nozzle body in upstream spaced relation to the apertured wall, and the turbulator body is carried by said spider formation.

5. In apparatus for producing fire extinguishing foam as defined in claim 1 wherein the apertured wall has a minimum effective thickness.

6. In apparatus for producing fire extinguishing foam as defined in claim 1 wherein the wall across the discharge end of the nozzle body has a narrow aperture defining edge.

7. In apparatus for producing fire extinguishing foam as defined in claim 1 wherein the wall across the discharge end of the nozzle body has a narrow aperture defining edge and a surface area on the downstream side thereof that extends about said aperture and flares outwardly and downstream from said narrow aperture defining edge.

8. In apparatus for producing fire extinguishing foam, a nozzle comprising an elongated hollow nozzle body, means at one end of said nozzle body for connecting the same with a source of foam forming solution, a wall across the opposite end of said nozzle body, an elongated turbulator body circular and uniform in transverse section and extending freely through an aperture formed in said wall, said turbulator body being carried by and mounted in fixed relation to said nozzle body, the aperture defining edge of said wall and the circumferentially extending outer surface area of said turbulator body that is opposed to said aperture defining edge being conjointly operative to define an annular orifice through which foam forming solution is discharged in the form of a hollow cylindrical sheet, a conduit carried by said nozzle body and mounted in axial extension thereof for receiving said hollow cylindrical sheet of foam forming solution, said conduit being open ended to provide an inlet for air surrounding said nozzle body and deflector means carried by said conduit comprising: a plurality of elongated deflector members circumferentially spaced about the downstream end of said conduit and mounted for swinging movement of blade-like free end portions into and out of the path of the discharge from said conduit, said blade-like free end portions being provided with deflector surfaces extending downstream at an angle relative to the central axis of said conduit, and means operable for selectively swinging said deflector blades simultaneously into and out of said discharge path, said blades being conjointly operative when disposed in said discharge path to effect a final discharge in the form of a wide hollow conical pattern of closely knit foam spray.

9. In apparatus for producing fire extinguishing foam as defined in claim 8 wherein the blade portions of the deflector members extend in the same direction about the axis of the conduit, and the deflector members are mounted for swinging movement simultaneously in the same direction respectively about axes parallel to the axis of said conduit.

10. In apparatus for producing fire extinguishing foam as defined in claim 8 wherein the deflector members are provided with arms that are triangular in transverse section, the blade portions of said deflector members are lateral extensions of said arms, and the surface at one side of each of said arms and the deflecting surface of the associated blade are smoothly merged.

11. In apparatus for producing fire extinguishing foam as defined in claim 8 wherein the deflector means includes an annular housing mounting the pivots for the deflector members, and means within said housing operatively interconnecting said deflector members and operable for swinging the same in unison about said pivots.

12. In apparatus for producing fire extinguishing foam as definied in claim 11 wherein the housing for the deflector members includes axially spaced walls, the means interconnecting the deflector members is an annular plate adjoining the upstream one of said walls and freely embracing the pivots for said deflector members, and said deflector members are interposed between said annular plate and the downstream one of said walls.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS:

2,146,605 Timpson Feb. 7, 1939 2,218,294 Muller Oct. 15, 1940 2,409,496 Kelley Oct. 15, 1946 2,513,417 Lindsay July 4, 1950 2,542,014 Edwards et a1. Feb. 20, 1951 

